The Toyota Greater Bengaluru Bidadi Half Marathon 2024, organized by Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) in association with BIA (Bidadi Industries Association) Foundation on March 24 marked the first flagship event of its kind. The run was categorised across 21Km, 10Km and 5Km for the age group 16 years & above and a special category of 3Km for children between 8 years to 15 years. Themed under ‘RUN FOR SAFETY & SUSTAINABILITY’, the marathon is aimed at fostering health consciousness, responsible road usage to leave a lasting positive impact on the region’s social fabric.
This event was held at Bidadi and flagged off from scenic Jollywood Studio & Adventures and witnessed an overwhelming response from various segments of society, including local communities, employees, and family members and industries.
The event, witnessing around 3000 participants from diverse backgrounds, graced by the esteemed chief and distinguished guests – Dr. S Selva Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary of Department of Commerce & Industries, Government of Karnataka, Dr. Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS, Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate of Ramanagara District, and Mrs. Geetanjali Kirloskar, Chairperson & Managing Director of Kirloskar Systems Pvt. Ltd. Joining as Guest of Honours were Mr. Karthik Reddy, IPS, Superintendent of Police for Ramanagara District, Mrs. Anju Bobby George, the former Indian Olympian, and Senior Vice President of the Athletics Federation of India and Mr. K Srinivas, Director of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety & Health, Government of Karnataka, along with the participation of senior officials from BIA and senior leaders from Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
Founded in 2023 and formally registered under the Indian Trust Act, the BIA Foundation stands as a dedicated entity focused on catalysing community development initiatives within the Ramanagara district. Leveraging the generous contributions from industries situated in the Bidadi Industrial area and surrounding regions, the foundation is steadfast in its commitment to fostering meaningful change in the lives of local residents. The marathon served as a powerful symbol of unity, collaboration, and the unwavering resilience embedded within the community across all BIA industries.
Toyota given its commitment to road safety and sustainability was the Title sponsor for this event. The marathon not only celebrated physical endurance by inspiring individuals from all walks of life to push their boundaries but also promoted safety and sustainability message involving all stakeholders including community members. While all finishers received medals and E-certificates, top performers were awarded cash prizes.
